How to Make the Warhawk Paper Airplane

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Fast, long range and simple, the Warhawk is a small, lightweight successor to older, more complicated interceptors like the HyperSwift and Super Lightning. The Warhawk is quite forgiving and can fly at both fast and slow paces, making it an excellent airplane for those looking for a simple, effective design. In addition, the aircraft can also have numerous surfaces and features added to it, making it very versatile.

I began designing the Warhawk to complement more complex aircraft like the Vanguard and Vulcan, which were both rather elaborate. To introduce a simpler aircraft, I began looking into and experimenting with newer, smaller, simpler layouts. Eventually, I settled on two prototypes for testing. After completing testing of the two, I found the Warhawk to be the superior aircraft and it was allotted its own instructable.

TAA USAF Designation: F294-1

Step 1: Materials

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch paper
Tape
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil

Step 2: Length and Fourth Folding

Begin work with your paper by folding it in half along its length. Whilst it is folded in half, measure 2.5 inches down one of the lengths and make a mark. Then sketch a line perpendicular to the edge you made the mark on. Proceed to cut along this line; you may discard the small trimmed piece of paper. Unfold the paper, then pull the edges parallel to the crease in toward it so they touch. This will make the fourth folds. Then unfold.

Step 3: Nose Folding

Pull the tip of your paper to the fourth fold on the other side of the center crease, with the center crease as one end point of this new fold. Then repeat on the other side. Once you have done this, pull the overhanging portions of each side back over itself on its own side and crease. After this has been completed, pull the nose to the back of this section as shown. When this is in place, pull the small triangles on either side of the nose over it. Then unfold them and tuck them into the pockets of the nose as shown. Once they are in fully, flatten the nose again.

Step 4: Wing and Winglet Folding; Taping

Fold your airplane in half along its center crease. Then pull the wing down so the fourth fold meets the center crease. Align the trailing edge of the wing with that of the fuselage to maintain an angle of incidence of zero degrees. Once you have done this on both sides, fold the wing sections outboard of the fourth folds upward. Once you have done this on both sides, fold the wingtips down to the fourth folds on each side as shown.

Taping is quite simple; apply tape to the nose across the front of the fuselage, over the wing root near the back and around the back of the fuselage.

Step 5: Flight

The Warhawk is a simple airplane to trim and fly. At launch, a slow speed launch at a neutral or negative attitude will result in a slow, calm flight; a moderate speed launch at a neutral or negative attitude will result in a moderately fast cruise; and a high speed launch at a negative, neutral or positive (usually no more than 25-30 degrees) attitude will result in a fast level flight or a quick climb. Trim may be required, including adjustments to the airfoil pockets in the nose and under the wings. Additional applicable surfaces include slats, flaps, elevators, ailerons, rudders, air brakes and an electronic warfare tail.